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We investigate young type Ia supernova remnants (SNRs) in our Galaxy and neighbouring galaxies in order to understand their properties and early stage of their evolution. Here we present a radio continuum study based on new and archival data from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) towards N 103B, a young (≤1000 yrs) spectroscopically confirmed type Ia SNR in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and proposed to have originated from a single degenerate (SD) progenitor. The radio morphology of this SNR is asymmetrical with two bright regions towards the north-west and south-west of the central location as defined by radio emission. N 103B identified features include: a radio spectral index of − 0.75 ± 0.01 (consistent with other young type Ia SNRs in the Galaxy); a bulk SNR expansion rate as in X-rays; morphology and polarised electrical field vector measurements where we note radial polarisation peak towards the north-west of the remnant at both 5500 and 9000 MHz. The spectrum is concave-up and the most likely reason is the non-linear diffusive shock acceleration (NLDSA) effects or presence of two different populations of ultra-relativistic electrons. We also note unpolarised clumps near the south-west region which is in agreement with this above scenario. We derive a typical magnetic field strength for N 103B of 16.4 μG for an average rotation measurement of 200 rad m − 2 . However, we estimate the equipartition field to be of the order of ∼235 μG with an estimated minimum energy of E min = 6.3 × 10 48 erg . The close (∼ 0.5 ∘ ) proximity of N 103B to the LMC mid-plane indicates that an early encounter with dense interstellar medium may have set an important constrain on SNR evolution. Finally, we compare features of N 103B to six other young type Ia SNRs in the LMC and Galaxy, with a range of proposed degeneracy scenarios to highlight potential differences due to a different models. We suggest that the single degenerate scenario might point to morphologically asymmetric type Ia supernova explosions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) use in pediatric and adult age groups. Methods: Data were collected with a questionnaire sent by e-mail to CSII-experienced Diabetes Centers. The questionnaire assessed: (1) number of CSII-treated patients; (2) patient demographic data and characteristics; (3) structure and organization of Diabetes Centers providing CSII therapy; (4) pump characteristics (conventional pump, sensor-augmented pump); and (5) CSII dropouts. Results: A total of 217 out of 1093 Italian centers participated: 51 pediatric (23.5 %) and 166 (76.5 %) adult centers (AP). Compared to a survey performed in 2005, there was a significant increase in the number of pediatric units when compared to adult units (112 vs 37 %, respectively, p < 0.05). Pediatric age is characterized by a greater concern for quality of life and injections, and a higher dropout rate (10.6 vs 8.9 %) mainly related to pump wearability and site reactions. A complete diabetes-care team is associated with a superior use of technology (fewer dropouts, increased CGM and advanced bolus use) which is, however, still used in a small percentage of patients. Conclusions: In Italy, the number of CSII-treated pediatric patients (PP) is growing more significantly when compared to adults. Only 60 % of all patients are using advanced functions and 20 % are using CGMs continuously. This confirms the great interest in diabetes technology that is growing in pediatric diabetologists. However, much improvement is warranted in the organization and specialized training of pediatric, adult and transitional facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate feasibility and effectiveness on short-term blood glucose control of using glycaemic load counting (GLC) versus carbohydrate counting (CC) for prandial insulin dosing in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: Nine T1D patients on insulin pump, aged 26-58 years, HbA1c 7.7 ± 0.8 % (61 ± 8.7 mmol/mol), participated in this real-life setting study. By a crossover design, patients were randomised to calculate their pre-meal insulin dose based on the insulin/glycaemic load ratio (GLC period) or the insulin/carbohydrate ratio (CC period) for 1 week, shifting to the alternate method for the next week, when participants duplicated their first week food plan. Over either week, a blind subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring was performed, and a 7-day food record was filled in. Results: Total daily insulin doses (45 ± 10 vs. 44 ± 9 I.U.; M ± SD, p = 0.386) and basal infusion (26 ± 7 vs. 26 ± 8 I.U., p = 0.516) were not different during GLC and CC periods, respectively. However, the range of insulin doses (difference between highest and lowest insulin dose) was wider during GLC, with statistical significance at dinner (8.4 ± 6.2 vs. 6.0 ± 3.9 I.U., p = 0.041). Blood glucose iAUC after lunch was lower, albeit not significantly, during GLC than CC period (0.6 ± 8.6 vs. 3.4 ± 8.2 mmol/l∙3 h, p = 0.059). Postprandial glucose variability, evaluated as the maximal amplitude after meal (highest minus lowest glucose value), was significantly lower during GLC than CC period at lunch (4.22 ± 0.28 vs. 5.47 ± 0.39 mmol/l, p = 0.002) and dinner (3.89 ± 0.33 vs. 4.89 ± 0.33, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Calculating prandial insulin bolus based on glycaemic load counting is feasible in a real-life setting and may improve postprandial glucose control in people with T1D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a supervised physical training added to a healthy diet-rich in either carbohydrate and fibre (CHO/fibre) or monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)-on postprandial dyslipidaemia, an independent cardiovascular risk factor particularly relevant in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Participants were forty-five overweight/obese subjects with T2D, of both genders, in good blood glucose control with diet or diet+metformin, with normal fasting plasma lipids. According to a parallel groups 2 × 2 factorial design, participants were randomized to an 8-week isoenergetic intervention with a CHO/fibre or a MUFA diet, with or without a supervised low-volume aerobic training programme. The main outcome of the study was the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of lipid concentrations in the plasma chylomicron+VLDL lipoprotein fraction, isolated by preparative ultracentrifugation (NCT01025856). Body weight remained stable during the trial in all groups. Physical fitness slightly improved with training (VO peak, 16 ± 4 vs. 15 ± 3 ml/kg/min, M ± SD, p < 0.05). Postprandial triglyceride and cholesterol iAUCs in plasma and chylomicron+VLDL fraction decreased after the CHO/fibre diet, but increased after the MUFA diet with a significant effect for diet by two-way ANOVA ( p < 0.05). The addition of exercise training to either dietary intervention did not significantly influence postprandial lipid response. A diet rich in carbohydrates and fibre reduced postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins compared with a diet rich in MUFA in patients with T2D. A supervised low-volume physical training did not significantly influence these dietary effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed radio-continuum study on Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) observations of Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) supernova remnant (SNR), MCSNR J0536-7038. This Type Ia SNR follows a horseshoe morphology, with a size 32 pc × 32 pc (1-pc uncertainty in each direction). It exhibits a radio spectrum α=−0.52±0.07 between λ=73 and 6 cm. We report detections of regions showing moderately high fractional polarisation at 6 cm, with a peak value of 71±25 % and a mean fractional polarisation of 35±8 %. We also estimate an average rotation measure across the remnant of -237 rad m. The intrinsic magnetic field appears to be uniformly distributed, extending in the direction of the two brightened limbs of the remnant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of foods containing trans fatty acids (TFA), especially those produced by food industries, induces pleiotropic negative effects on health. Therefore, it is important to assess the amount of TFA consumed, especially in age groups more exposed to the consumption of TFA-containing foods. The present pilot study evaluates TFA intake in 54 young people with and without type 1 diabetes (29 young subjects with type 1 diabetes and 25 healthy subjects) through both dietary records (7-day food record) and the measurement of TFA levels in serum phospholipids, a possibly more objective marker of TFA intake. The comparison between the two groups was made by the student t test for independent samples. The intake of synthetic TFA was low in both groups (type 1 diabetic patients: 0.25 ± 0.25 g/day; healthy subjects 0.48 ± 0.37 g/day), but significantly lower in diabetic patients vs controls ( P < 0.05); TFA levels in serum phospholipids also confirmed a low intake of these fatty acids. These data indicate that the intake of trans fatty acids is relatively low in our population, i.e.,<1% of total calories in the diet, in line with what recommended by the World Health Organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether two dietary approaches recommended for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular prevention-high-MUFA or complex carbohydrates/fiber-differently influence inflammation. A 4-week crossover study in 12 individuals with type 2 diabetes was performed. Fasting and postprandial hs-CRP plasma levels were not significantly different after a high-carbohydrate/high-fiber/low-glycemic index (CHO/fiber) and a high-MUFA diet. Compared with fasting, hs-CRP levels decreased significantly after the MUFA but not after the CHO/fiber meal. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins were significantly lower after the CHO/fiber than the MUFA diet. At fasting and postprandially, hs-CRP correlated with triglyceride in whole plasma, chylomicrons, small and large VLDL after the CHO/fiber but not after the MUFA diet. In conclusion, a MUFA-rich diet and a carbohydrate/fiber-rich diet induced similar effects on plasma hs-CRP concentrations. However, these dietary approaches seem to influence hs-CRP levels through different mechanisms. i.e., direct acute postprandial effects by MUFA and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins mediated effects by CHO/fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]